[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  ELIZABETH ADKINS AMONG VFW VOICE OF DEMOCRACY NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP 
                                WINNERS

                                 ______


                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a remarkable 
member of my district, Elizabeth Adkins, the Illinois winner of the 
1995 Voice of Democracy scriptwriting contest. Each year the Veterans 
of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsors the competition, 
choosing winners from over 126,000 scripts submitted by high school 
students around the nation. Elizabeth, a recent graduate of Wheaton 
North High School, received top honors in Illinois for her speech 
entitled ``My Vision for America''. I am proud to recognize this bright 
young author as well as the thousands of patriotic students who 
participated in the contest.
                       ``My Vision for America''

       America has, since its conception, been the embodiment of 
     democratic and moralistic ideals. As a nation we defend again 
     and again the principles that we are built upon. Freedom, 
     equality, justice, and opportunity. We struggle together over 
     where the line is crossed between national morals and narrow-
     minded policies, between equality and reverse-discrimination, 
     between personal choice and the rights of an unborn child. 
     But only in America could these struggles strengthen a 
     country. Only in America could citizens dare to disagree with 
     their government. Only in America could political leaders and 
     parties change every four or eight years and not cause a 
     complete collapse of the nation. And so, in asking what my 
     vision for America is, I cannot say a New America or a 
     different America. For I do not want to abandon the America 
     of today or forget the America of yesterday.
       I do believe, however, that this nation can and will be 
     improved. I see a need in America. And I believe that this 
     need has been growing for the last thirty years. Each 
     American citizen must begin to take some responsibility. 
     Responsibility for his or her own actions, mistakes, and 
     well-being. Responsibility for those less fortunate who do 
     not have the ability to care for themselves. And 
     responsibility for what this nation does. A devoted citizen 
     would not disown their country every time it made a mistake, 
     or didn't have enough money, or lost one battle or another. 
     As devoted citizens, we Americans must stand behind this 
     country, improving it when we can and fighting for it when we 
     must.
       The major problems of the Untied States would be alleviated 
     if citizens took initiative and were willing to bear the 
     burdens that citizens of a powerful democratic nation must 
     bear. In the America of tomorrow, each citizen will have 
     rediscovered their moral basis and built a motivational 
     basis. A strong moral basis will help to alleviate the crime 
     problem. Children who are taught simply what is right and 
     wrong and who are challenged and encouraged to do what is 
     right will be more equipped to lead lives void of crime. 
     Perhaps what this country needs are a few reminders from the 
     America of yesterday. Maybe we need to hear a few more 
     stories where good battles evil and the good guy wins. In the 
     America of tomorrow there is only one winner in the fight 
     between right and wrong. Americans must begin to develop 
     moral responsibility.
       And it isn't just about doing what is right anymore. 
     America needs to advance beyond doing what is right to doing 
     what is best. Is it enough to simply take care of your 
     family? What about helping your neighbors or your community? 
     American citizens need to be responsible for fellow American 
     citizens. My vision for America returns to neighborhood 
     groups and local organizations that are trying to make some 
     improvements. When citizens begin to take actions to assist 
     their neighbors as well as themselves, vivid changes will 
     take place. When citizens learn to give of themselves for 
     someone else, materialism and special interests will vanish. 
     When Americans develop a responsibility for their neighbors 
     and their communities, they will be able to look forward as a 
     unified nation to improving this country as a whole.
       My vision of America is that each man and woman will 
     understand the need to pull together as a nation and to pull 
     oneself together as an individual citizen. In this America, 
     the word duty will have the resonance that it once did. Each 
     American has a duty, and that duty is what makes a democracy 
     work. In order for America to maintain those freedoms and 
     liberties which we all cherish, we must fulfill our duties 
     and responsibilities to ourselves, our neighbors, and our 
     nation.
     

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